Professional drywall installation for your basement renovation

If you’re developing your basement, the drywall work will be a major component of that renovation project. For basements, drywalled ceilings are more modern and bright. You can also have extra soundproofing installed between floors. When it comes to walls, they need to be moisture resistant and functional. To ensure this quality, you always hire a professional for drywall installation during a basement renovation.

DNA Renovations Inc. in Edmonton is a professional contracting company. They share the benefits of hiring their pros to install drywall for your basement renovation:

They do the drywall, but there are other jobs you can DIY

Generally, a professional should handle drywall installation, but there are still parts that you can DIY. Painting the finished drywall or putting up wallpaper is something most homeowners can do themselves. Down the road, if the drywall has minor damage, patching it up and repainting is also something you can try tackling DIY.

With a professional managing the installation, though, you have the assurance of quality and safety. Mudding, taping, and sanding is more challenging than you might think. It takes experience and skill to get it just right, or your walls and ceilings will end up with seam or screw marks on them when finished. Save yourself the time, headache, and disappointment by hiring a professional to start.

Drywall has flexible designs 

Basements are already significant investments to renovate or finish, which is why cost-effective materials are a must. With drywall, you will benefit from a lower overall cost and better design. Drywall works perfectly for walls, ceilings, arches, and even customs designs. No matter what plans you have in mind for your basement, drywall will work with every idea and creates a blank canvas for the rest of its design. You can paint a smooth surface or go for a textured finish, such as popcorn or splatter, for a customized look. If you need ideas, just take a look at these beautiful, bright basement colour ideas.

Professionals save time and stress 

This doesn’t just apply to help with the basement renovations, but also with handling the drywall. Installing drywall can be a complicated and even costly job, especially if you are new to it. Individual sheets are heavy and awkward to handle, and you need the right tools and experience to hang everything properly. As mentioned, properly mudding and sanding the seams and screw holes are something only a seasoned professional can do perfectly. Common drywall mistakes will also cost more time and money, or give you bad results, which hiring a professional will help prevent. 

You get professional design help 

Basements have a lot of possibilities when deciding on their use. You can have additional bedrooms for a growing family and finally add a second or third bathroom downstairs. Homeowners can create a rec room, family room, or put in additional storage spaces. Whatever your dreams are for the basement, hiring a professional renovation company is the best place to start. They can work with your ideas and create a basement design plan that checks everything off your list. Then they can manage the project from start to finish, taking care of the little details so you don’t have to.

Basement Renovations in Edmonton

DNA Renovations Inc. brings over 20 years of experience when it comes to home renovations. Their professionals are skilled and dedicated to both quality of work as well as customer satisfaction. Their services include everything from drywall and electrical, to plumbing and more. Whatever renovation service you need, DNA Renovations Inc. is proud and ready to help. 

Contact DNA Renovations Inc. today!

Click to Find >>>>> Basement Renovations in Edmonton.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

The garage is infamous for chaotic storage, creepy bugs, and stuff you forgot even existed, and that’s what can make us all procrastinate cleaning out the garage. We’ve broken overhauling your garage into some bite-size tips.

#1. Pick a nice day with no rain on the forecast and take everything out of your garage. And we do mean everything. It’s going to be easier to clean, sort, and organize when your garage is emptied out. It also means that less will find its way back into your garage as you sort through the items, throw things out, and put other items in their proper home. You want to start with a blank slate.

#2. Sweep your garage out (large push brooms are great for this) and take care of any spider webs, roaches, ants, or mice. If necessary, use a cleaning solution to really freshen things up.

#3. Assess your garage space and decide if you want to use it for storage, a parked car, woodworking shop, or something else. Obviously, however you decide to use your cleaned out garage space is going to impact how much stuff you put back into it.

#4. Use the three basic categories of keep, donate, and trash to sort through the items you cleaned out of your garage. Once you have donated and thrown out all the things you won’t be keeping, you can create a plan of attack for organization.

Keeping Your Garage Cleaned Out: Organization

#1. Two words: vertical storage. The key is going to be getting your stuff up off the floor and keeping it off the floor. And don’t think about only shelves; garages are where you can invest in slat walls, peg boards, hooks, and much more.

#2. Put the tools, sports equipment, and such that you use the most near the front of the garage. These are the things that you’re going to want to keep most accessible. Remember: when it comes to organization, simplicity is better because you must have a usable, reality-friendly system—one that’s going to hold up in the busyness of life.

#3. Clear bins are a great investment when cleaning out your garage because you can easily identify the contents of each bin without having to take the bin off the shelf and open the lid.

#4. Keep the things that shouldn’t be in your garage out of your garage—we’re talking paint, papers (especially important ones), photograph, vinyl records, electronics, etc..

Need some professional help?

Whether it be installing shelves, fixing a garage door, or dealing with insects, we can help. Give Handyman Connection a call or text us today for a free estimate!

The post Clean Out Your Garage with These Tips appeared first on Handyman Connection.

No matter what your yard is like, hiring a professional for landscape maintenance offers many benefits. Cutting the grass, installing sod, or trimming trees can save you plenty of time and still be cost-effective when left to the pros.

Top Choice Contracting in Edmonton is a maintenance and construction company. They share the benefits of leaving the landscape maintenance to their professionals:

Sod: benefits and pro installation

If you’re looking to revitalize your lawn or have an “instant lawn,” then sod is the solution. With sod, you get a thicker, healthier lawn without any of the wait time. It also needs less watering than a seeded lawn, which requires watering at least four times a day. Having a beautiful lawn will also boost your home’s curb appeal, making it a real standout.

While sod can be DIYed, it’s much more beneficial to hire a professional. Unlike other renovations, sod is a time-sensitive project, as it can die if left for too long. There is also a lot of work involved, from removing the old lawn, preparing the soil, and laying the new sod. With a professional, they not only ensure a timely installation, but they also ensure it’s done properly. Professionals can also help give tips on care and upkeep to ensure your new lawn stays healthy.

Grass cutting: pro benefits

Cutting grass is something that you can DIY, but not all homeowners love mowing lawns or have the time. Depending on the size of your lawn, it can be a time-consuming task, as well as noisy and hot during the summer. It must also be done regularly to ensure the health of your lawn and the high appeal of your home. With a professional, that stress is taken away and the upkeep handled for you. Not only that, but they have experience with maintaining different types of grass or how to safely mow without causing damage. Even basic mowing has some common mistakes that can harm your lawn. You can take the time you save on mowing and put into enjoying your yard instead!

Tree care: full home benefits

Like lawns, trees also need to be regularly cared for and trimmed to keep them healthy and free of disease. Diseased trees can easily spread to other, healthier trees and infect them. If you have a busy schedule or not enough tree care knowledge, leave it to the professionals. Well-maintained and styled trees will do wonders to boost curb appeal by providing an attractive, clean look. It also helps keep your home safe by preventing roof or gutter damage from overhanging branches. If you have fruit trees, then proper trimming will help produce even more and better-tasting fruit. Plus, there’ll be less overall maintenance when cleaning up after trimmed and maintained trees!

Landscapers in Edmonton

Any project, big or small, is no problem for the skilled professionals at Top Choice Contracting. Whether residential or commercial, they offer services and solutions for all your needs. From construction and remodeling to landscape and maintenance, they offer it all.

Contact Top Choice Contracting today to request a quote!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

If you’re looking for the most cost-effective way to renovate or update your home, painting is the answer. A new colour or just a touch-up can completely transform and renew a tired and worn looking house. Painting is also a great DIY project, but before you buy any paint, have you asked yourself or wondered, “how much paint do I need?” Depending on the size of the project, the answer can easily vary.  

Some quick math or using a paint calculator will help give an answer and save making more than one trip to the store. But first, other considerations may affect those calculations. So, before you start, here are a few additional factors to take into account.

The role of surfaces 

Depending on what type of surface you are painting, and whether interior or exterior, this will affect how much paint you need. Some surfaces are extremely porous and will absorb more paint and so need more layers. That is most likely to occur on exterior surfaces, as certain types of siding are more porous. For the interior, needing one or two coats of paint will depend on the new colour and type of old paint being covered.

Exterior textures 

As a general rule, exterior surfaces will always need two coats of paint. Depending on the type of surface, an initial layer of primer may also be necessary. The primer will seal the surface against future stains, help the new paint adhere better, and increase its durability. Adding two layers of paint on top will further enhance the paint’s durability and help it withstand the elements. With three layers, your exterior paint job will last twice as long and continue to look just as good. 

Rougher and so more porous exterior surfaces will need a more generous application of paint when applying the two coats. These rougher surfaces include shake and shingle siding, stucco, and brick. One gallon of paint typically covers 350-400 square feet, but will only cover 300 to 350 square feet of a porous surface. When figuring out how much does a gallon of paint cover, make sure you keep the surface texture in mind.  

Interior textures 

Interior paint is dependent on both the surface and type of pre-existing paint. Wallpaper (yes, you can paint over wallpaper!) will need a fast-drying primer to ensure the first coat of paint isn’t absorbed into the wallpaper instead. If it does, you’ll end up with a peeling mess and wasted time and money. When changing paint types, such as gloss to flat, a primer needs to be applied first. That will help the new paint layer adhere properly to the wall and ensure a smoother, professional-looking finish. 

Colour change  

Either matching old colours or choosing a new shade will also affect the answer to, how much paint do I need. If you match old colours for a simple touch-up, one layer of paint is enough. Even when painting over with a similar shade, you may be able to get away with one coat. Painting light over dark, though, will be a different matter. Light paint over a dark surface will require much more paint and primer to cover it completely. A good pro tip is first to apply one or two layers of white or grey-tinted primer. That helps create a neutral base so that the new lighter paint will easily cover the dark. Wait for each layer to dry before checking to see if the dark layer is still visible, and apply a third coat if needed.  

Dark over light is much easier and will typically require much less paint to accomplish. Using a primer is also more optional, as the dark paint will easily cover the lighter base. Still, plan to use two layers of paint to ensure that the finish is smooth and even. 

Paint factors that affect the amount  

In addition to wall surfaces and colour choice, the type of paint itself will affect how much you need. That will include both the quality of the paint as well as when else to use a primer.  

Quality of paint and using primer

High-gloss vs low-gloss and high- or low-quality paint, will all have different impacts on how many coats you’ll need. While lower-quality paint may be cheaper, it’s not a cost-effective purchase over the long run. There is less resin in low-quality paints, so once dry, the paint is thinner and less durable. You’ll spend more money and need more applications to achieve the same quality look from a better paint.

Before painting, check to see whether the old paint is a high- or low-gloss. High-gloss paint is extremely durable and is best for cabinets, high-traffic areas, and trim. However, it is also resistant to new paints and must be prepared and primed first. Knowing this will help save multiple trips to the store for new paint and prevent wasting time. 

Calculating how much does a gallon of paint cover should also include the same for primer. Many surfaces or types of paint will need an initial layer of primer to ensure the new paint adheres to the surface. If you are DIYing a paint project, you should ask your paint supplier for advice on using primer or not. Primers help seal surfaces, create adhesion, cover stains, and ensure a smooth and even finish. It may be tempting to skip to save some expense, but your paint job will suffer in the long-run.  

When to prime  

Drywall: Drywall, especially when new, is extremely porous and will benefit from an initial primer. That will also save using excess paint trying to evenly coat the new wall without any primer. You can get away without using primer, but it will require more coats for a smooth finish.

Over any repairs: If you have any cracks or scuffs, always repair those first. Once they are, use a little bit of primer on the repaired spot before painting. In touch up jobs like these, you can get away with a smaller purchase of primer.

Dark to light: As mentioned before, priming dark paint will make it much easier to transition to a light colour. Even a tinted primer can help cover the dark colour and make the light colour easier to apply.

Wallpaper: Unless primed, the paint will soak into the wallpaper and loosen it from the wall. Instead of a beautiful finish, you’ll find your wallpaper peeling free and leaving a mess. 

When not to prime                                                                                               

No stains or damage: If your walls are still in good condition, don’t worry about priming. Without any risk of marks showing through, you can just apply the new paint.

Using similar colours: If the new colour is a similar enough shade, you won’t need a primer. Two layers of new paint will be enough to cover the old colour.

All-in-one paint: There are self-priming paints that you can buy that act as both primer and paint. These are only recommended if the walls are in good condition; otherwise, a separate purchase is best.

Paint rule of thumb  

Generally, you will use about 1 gallon of paint for every 350 square feet of surface you want to paint.

In addition to using a paint calculator, there is a general rule of thumb when purchasing paint. Once you know the total amount needed, add 10% to that number. That way, you have some elbow room for any mistakes or any paint that dries in the tray before you use it. With that in mind, here is another guideline to know how much does a gallon of paint cover: 

One gallon = small project: This will cover 350 square feet or any small room or bathroom.

Two gallons = average project: Two gallons is the typical amount of paint when applying two coats for an 800 square foot space.

Three gallons = large or multiple rooms: If you have plans to paint either one large room, any adjoining rooms, or a ceiling, go for three cans. This amount will cover 1200 square feet and leave enough for a second coat.

Four gallons = major renovation: For a home renovation with several rooms that need painting, four gallons will cover 1600 square feet.

Keep in mind that surface texture, colour transition, and paint quality will affect the final amount of paint needed. For a more accurate calculation, use this calculator to find out exactly how much you need.

Paint calculator: how much paint do I need? 

This calculator measures the height and width of a wall to find its area and how much paint is necessary. You can add in any windows or doors or tick off “ceiling paint” if you plan to paint the ceiling. The calculator will give the total gallons of paint needed for your walls and automatically calculate enough for two coats.

Painting calculation specifics  

When painting windows and trim, the calculations will likely vary for each home. The paint calculator applies a standard measurement of an average door being 20 square feet and an average window measuring 15 square feet. Still, doing a little extra math won’t hurt, especially if your home has custom-shaped windows or different trim. 

Primer  

Primer covers slightly less than paint, with one gallon covering 200-300 square feet. When calculating primer, follow the same steps, multiplying the total length x width of the room. But then, divide that answer by 300 instead, for the total amount needed for one coat of primer. 

Windows  

The amount of paint needed for windows will depend on the shutters, any trim, and the size of the frame. Most paint calculators eliminate the window as a whole from any wall surface estimates. To calculate the trim, add the total length and total width of each window. Then multiply length x width and divide by 350 for the total amount. With most trim, one quart of trim paint will typically be enough. 

Doors  

Most doors follow a standard measurement of 20 square feet, which is a safe number to use. If your door has custom additions such as sidelites or windows, take the time to do your own measurements. Then, divide the total by 350 for the total amount of paint needed. If you plan to paint both sides of the double, don’t forget to double the sum total. 

Trim  

Typically, trim ends up needing less than a gallon of paint to cover any trim in a standard size room. To calculate, add the length of all the trim in the room and do the same for the width. Then, multiply the total length x width for the total square footage. Divide by 350 for the total amount needed for one coat.

DIY or pro? 

Paint is something that can be either done as a DIY project or left to the professionals. There is no right or wrong choice, as both are beneficial and come down to a matter of personal preference. There are a few factors, though, that can help with the final decision. 

DIY  

The main reason homeowners DIY is to help save some expenses when it comes to painting. You will still have to buy the tools and paint, but you save on the labour costs. If you are touching up old paint or plan to paint one room or some kitchen cabinets, there’s no reason not to DIY. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with hiring a professional. 

Professional painting  

Professional painters know the ins and outs of what paints to choose, the best colours, and even application techniques. Not only that, but they help save time by handling the work for you and finishing in less time. If you’re planning to sell your home, or have a major painting renovation planned, leave it to the pros. They’ll guarantee that the paint job not only lasts but adds value to your home. Any design tips or ideas as well can be discussed with a professional painter. Plus, they’ll do the calculations themselves to determine how much paint is required for your project.

Find RenovationFind certified painters today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Our home is a statement to our personality. It showcases who we are and what we’re about, both on the exterior and interior of the house. One aspect in particular that has everyone raving is the style of their kitchen cabinets. Once a piece in the kitchen that wasn’t given much thought, the modern home connoisseur has managed to bring the cabinet into the limelight.

Of course, you want to make sure you stay up to date with your style as well. That being said, you plan on calling some cabinet painters in Toronto to get started on the job. Before they come in and go to work, however, you want to know all of your options so that you can tell them exactly what you want to be added to your kitchen. This article will help you do that by going over some of the cabinet choices. Read on to learn more!

Let Your Cabinet Painters in Toronto Know About Open Shelf Cabinets

There was a time when shutting your kitchen items behind a door was the best way to present them. Now, everyone wants their kitchen wares to be on full display, and the open shelf cabinet has become the answer to doing that.

As this is a recent style, the painters you hire will need to know of the best way to make such a cabinet stand out. Have them match the color of the cabinet to the utensils as well as the kitchen itself, so all of your kitchen items are highlighted on the shelves.

Think About Designing With Oak Wood

Going natural has never been easier, and one way that people have set out to do this is by using oak wood. oak is a naturally sturdy and pretty material, and when painted properly it will highlight your kitchen like no other cabinet could.

In most cases, going with a stain makes the oak wood cabinet stand out more than an actual paint job, and it will match with practically every kitchen style. Your painter would be able to finish the job quicker and at a lower price than an actual paint job.

Keep Things Simple With Clean Cabinets

Remember the days when people wanted cabinets will all kinds of intricate markings and designs? That’s not a thing in the new age. Everyone wants cabinets that are sleek and markless to emphasize the beauty in simplicity. That being the case, your painter needs to know how to make such cabinet designs stand out. Make sure they’re using neutral colors so that the cabinets match the scenery and are shown off to maximum effect.

Get the Cabinet That You Deserve

Now that you know what to tell your cabinet painters about the cabinet style you want, you need to find some cabinet painters in Toronto that you can trust to carry out the job to a tee. You can trust us to be the ones to do the job right.

At Platinum Pro Painters, we make it our mission to offer only the best services to our customers so they can get exactly what they asked for every time. We specialize in kitchen cabinet painting, refinishing, and refacing, as well as stair and ceiling painting for both residential and commercial buildings.

Make sure to browse through our site to learn more, or request a free quote to find out how we can best serve you. We look forward to giving you the impressive home that you deserve!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Buying a home for the first time can be stressful, especially since it is such a significant investment. A home inspection will ensure your new home is up to standard. Not every home inspector will do the same detailed and thorough job. How do you know which home inspector to hire?

Gambit Inspections in Edmonton specializes in home inspections for first-time buyers. They share why a home inspection is essential and some qualities of a great home inspector.

Importance of a home inspection

For first time home buyers, a home inspection is an important first step that should always be done. Beyond buyers liking how a house looks, an inspector will ensure it is safe and in good condition. You don’t want to buy a home only to find out later that there are additional, surprise expenses needed for repairs. An inspector will do a thorough inspection of the house, checking the heating, plumbing, roof, windows, foundation, and more. If there are any problems, they’ll be put into a report so you can address them before closing the deal. Not only can they show you immediate problems, but issues that might arise down the road. This will give you the information you need to make an educated decision. When it comes to such home inspections, investing a little extra for the right inspector is always worthwhile.

Diligence 

With a home inspection, speedy turn arounds should not be the most important factor. Instead, an inspector who takes their time and has an eye for details will be more likely to find any problems. A good home inspector will also use an infrared thermal scan to catch less visible issues, revealed by unusual temperatures. That will help catch any insulation or electrical problems that can’t be seen by visual inspection alone. A good inspector will likewise be open and honest about what they find to ensure you are always completely informed.

A thorough inspection should take two or more hours to complete. If you have a home inspector go through the property in an hour or less, you should reconsider and find a company that will be more thorough.

Detailed reports

In addition to a diligent inspection, look for the same in the final report. Ask for samples of previous inspections to see what they look for and how detailed and easy the report is to read. Gambit Inspections, for example, provides maintenance tips, any minor issues, or life expectancy of systems in their reports. That way, you learn about the home’s status both now and what to expect in the future. They also have contacts with trusted contractors to help with any necessary work. If there are any areas of concern, you can plan for them now or make changes to the final offer you put on the house.

Experienced 

Don’t just look for experience with home inspections; see what other areas an inspector knows. Anything related to a home, such as testing for mould and asbestos or doing energy audits, is valuable knowledge. Keep in mind that these are beyond the expertise required for an inspection, but they show that the inspector has extensive knowledge and dedication. The Gambit Inspections professionals have 600+ hours in continuing education, dedicated to furthering their expertise as inspectors.

Also, ask your inspector what types of homes they have inspected. No two houses are the same, so look for someone who has experience inspecting various types and old or new homes. Even inspecting rural homes compared to urban homes is a different process, but one a great inspector can handle.

Home Inspections in Edmonton

Gambit Inspections prides itself on giving first time home buyers absolute peace of mind for their new home. They provide detail-orientated and thorough inspections that help you be as informed about a potential new home as possible. With Gambit Inspections, you can rest easy knowing your new home will have no unexpected problems.

Call Gambit Inspections and book an appointment now!

Click to Find >>>>> Home Inspections in Edmonton.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Summer is in full swing around the country, which means we’re in for good beach days but also some sweltering heat. Here are ten home projects to get you out of the sun and help you keep cool without AC.

How to Keep Cool Without AC this Summer

#1. Wipe down your baseboards and trim. – A quick wipe down goes a long way because we all know it’s the little things that make a house feel fresh.

#2. Install new electrical outlets. – It always seems like there are never enough outlets—especially in a home office. In just an hour or two, you can add in new outlets to the zones in your home where you find yourself always hunting for (and never finding) a plug-in.

#3. Create a seed-starting station. – Turn the empty space in your laundry room into the perfect place for starting this year’s garden. Set up a wire shelf rack, hang some fluorescent full-spectrum lights, and you’re all set to start growing!

#4. Clean the grout between your tiles.

After a while, grout gets gross—there’s no way around it. However, some simple pantry basics like baking soda, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide and a stiff bristled brush will refresh your grout in no time. Plus, being on the cool tile is sure to help you keep cool without AC. Pro-tip: do not use chlorine bleach on grout!

#5. Set up a home coffee bar. – If you’re a coffee enthusiast, this one’s for you. Using a small bookcase, cabinet, or floating shelves, it’s easy to create a space for your coffee maker, French press, coffee grinder, mugs, filters, and teas.

#6. Refurbish your coffee table or end tables. – Make an old coffee table look new (or old) with some paint and stylish hardware!

#7. Invest in vertical storage for your home. – Shelves help make the most of any space, especially storage spaces like your laundry room, closets, and garage.

#8. Replace all the batteries in your smoke detectors. – Just grab some batteries and a ladder, and you’re well on your way to oft-forgotten but much-needed basic home maintenance.  

#9. Install under-cabinet lighting. – Brighten up your kitchen—literally! This helpful, simple project makes a big impact on one of the home’s most important rooms.

#10. Update your walls. – Whether it be repairing holes and repainting, simply hanging new pictures, or designing a gallery wall, this is the perfect time to bring a new look to your living space.

Need a craftsman to take a look? Contact us!

As you work through your home to-do list and try to keep cool without AC, call or text your local Handyman Connection for a free estimate on any of your summer projects!

The post 10 Home Projects to Help Keep Cool Without AC appeared first on Handyman Connection.

Your home is a safe haven for the people you love and your precious belongings. Failure to secure your home means you put your possessions and your loved ones in danger because criminals are inclined to infiltrate your house to make a quick buck. It is your job to make it tough for them by eliminating the opportunity to break-in. 

Do remember that studies show that more burglaries occur in the summer. However, this doesn’t mean you can be complacent during the colder season. You must be vigilant about crime prevention all the time by taking the necessary precautions inside and outside your home. Consider the following tips so your home won’t fall prey into the hands of thieves:

Lock Your Windows

One of the most favorite entry points of robbers is your windows. People love to leave them open to let the breeze come in for the air to circulate. Sadly, this is seen as an invitation for thieves to come in. Instead, place locks on your windows, especially in the ground floor and basement areas, to make it harder for nasty thieves to gain access into your house. Lock them during the day and night. Most people fear that burglaries occur at night, but in reality, they happen during the day when most people are busy at work, school, or out running errands. As such, you must take preventive measures round the clock to ensure your home remains secure.  

Get a Dog

A dog is dubbed as a man’s best friend for a good reason! Keeping a canine companion lowers the risk of having burglars infiltrate your home. Dogs have keener senses of hearing and smell, so they begin barking when they feel a stranger is approaching. Having a pet dog is like possessing an early warning device. Best of all, when a stranger manages to come in, your dog will protect you with its sharp teeth.  

Get to Know Your Neighbors

Remember the good, old neighborhood watch? There is definitely merit to that program. Being neighborly means, you have a trusted person close by who can help you when you’re in a bind. When you leave on vacation, you can keep an eye out for each other’s houses. More burglaries occur in the summer when people are out taking their breaks. However, if you have a friendly neighbor supervising your property, you diminish the chances of a break-in. The crime rate is proven to be lower in tightly knit communities where people care about each other. With many eyes on the lookout, it is easy to spot a lurking stranger. 

Light Up the Landscape

Put a spotlight on potential intruders before they can even touch your doors. One thing that thieves hate is getting caught. If your perimeter is well-lit, this is a deterrent for them because no one wants to be seen. Place high powered LED lights in key points of your exterior fence. You can also put extra lighting with motion detectors. Any vulnerable access points must have illumination to dissuade criminals from breaking in. 

Lock Down Your Wi-Fi Network

You must be vigilant about locking your Wi-Fi network if you are truly concerned about security. In today’s modern world, hackers and cybercriminals abound. They use specialized software to access your wireless network. Locking it means you prevent unauthorized access, keeping your data and personal information safe. If you’ve chosen a smart door lock, you can keep your password safe. 

Put an Alarm System 

One of the best burglar deterrents is an alarm system. Though it may sound inconvenient to arm the alarm each time you leave your house, it will protect you against home invasion, especially when you are not around. Tripping will alert the neighbors and security organization your installer is affiliated with. Couple this with tiny warning sticker signs in your windows and yard signs that your home is manned with an alarm system. Since thieves hate getting caught, they don’t waste their precious time and resources in properties that are difficult to access. 

Fortify Your Fence

If you don’t have one already, building a fence is an excellent way to ward off unwanted people off your property. Some people opt for a simple open chain-link fence or an ornamental one with shrubbery. In contrast, some people prefer solid walls and fancier gates with pointed tops. To beef up your fence protection, add security cameras in key points. When thieves see cameras surrounding your property, they think twice about going near your home. 

Final Word

Making your home burglar-proof doesn’t have to break that bank. You can fortify your residential protection with a few affordable updates. The main objective to keep in mind is never to overlook simple steps that are the cornerstone of home security. Keep your doors and windows well-locked, hide your valuables, and be friendly with your neighbors. Most of all, never advertise your vacations which is the primary reason more burglaries occur in summer. Implementing these theft-proof measures means you can truly enjoy your home with peace of mind. 

The post 7 Smart Ways to Secure Your Home From Burglars appeared first on Handyman Connection.

The world may be faced with the challenges brought by COVID-19, but it doesn’t mean that home repairs are no longer a thing. Pandemic or not, home issues can still happen when you least expect them. It can be damage to your roof after an overflow on your gutter caused by a severe thunderstorm, or your home’s structural integrity getting compromised due to an earthquake. 

You may be inclined to bring out your toolbox and do the repair yourself. Indeed, there are some minor issues that you can fix easily. However, not all home issues can be done DIY style. You may not have the right equipment or the proper training to do the work safely and properly. It is highly advised that you hire a home repair professional to ensure a well-done job. 

Getting your home repaired during this pandemic? Here are some ways to handle home repairs during COVID-19.

1. Keep at-risk family members away from the site if possible

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that people who have underlying medical conditions such as chronic lung disease, serious heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease, as well as those that are immunocompromised, have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. 

If any of your family members belong to this group, minimize the risk of exposure by having them avoid contact with other people. As COVID-19 does not have a vaccine or cure yet, the best way to prevent it is through social distancing. Don’t let family members enter the part of your home being repaired unnecessarily. For bigger home repair projects, you may have to let them stay in a separate place for the project duration.

2.  Be proactive in screening home repair contractors

During this challenging time, it is better to be safe than sorry. Do your due diligence in looking for good home repair contractors and be proactive in screening them with regard to their medical condition.

3. Request contractors to wear masks and gloves

As part of the safety measures on the worksite, the CDC recommends that workers perform work while wearing masks and gloves. Masks prevent you from getting the virus and at the same time stops you from transmitting it. N95 masks are the best type of mask to prevent transmission. But since these are usually reserved for medical front liners, you and your home repair contractors may use surgical masks and cloth masks. 

4. Clean frequently used surfaces often

One of COVID-19’s most common modes of transmission is person-to-person contact. However, people can still get the virus from surfaces. Scientists have found that the virus can last up to 5 days on metallic surfaces and up to 4 days on wood. Reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 by disinfecting frequently touched surfaces on the worksite like doorknobs and repair tools. 

We are a few months in the COVID-19 crisis but the situation is still continually changing. Always stay updated on the COVID-19 situation and get information only from reliable sources.  As for home repairs, call a professional immediately if it is an emergency. If it is less urgent, weigh the risks and proceed only when you have the necessary safety precautions in place. 

About the Author:

Chris Woodard is the Co-Founder of Handle.com, where they build software that helps contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers with late payments and filing preliminary notices in California and most US states. Handle.com also provides funding for construction businesses in the form of invoice factoring, material supply trade credit, and mechanics lien purchasing.

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